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How We Design

Several articles giving an in-depth look at our core design principles and how they are reflected as seaworthy, stable vessels sailing the oceans.

Philosophy Behind The Ethnic Approach

Two people in a design studio posing with a boat model

An overview of James Wharram Design’s core design principles and how new designs are created to reflect these principles. “Watercraft and living on the sea is one of the ‘arch-types of our sub-conscious’. We design boats to fulfil this need by not only supplying a boat design, but also encouraging – through design – a lifestyle suitable for sea living, using simplicity as its basis. Simplicity leads us to look for the most appropriate, cost-effective building materials.”

The Wharram Wingsail Rig

A catamaran sailing in the sunshine

First designed in the early 1980s for the Tiki 21, the unique Wharram Wingsail Rig is a simple, aerodynamically clean sail rig. It is now available for use on all Wharram designs as sloop, or schooner rig. “My biggest design problem for 40 years was solved. Two masted rigs have smaller, easier handled sails and lighter gear than single masted rigs. On multihulls they also have, most important, a lower centre of effort than single masted rigs, giving less capsizing force”.

Practical Advice

Advice for first-time Wharram builders or people new to the Wharram world.

Our Blogs

Articles documenting some highlights of our adventures and projects.

James Wharram’s Philosophical Articles, Papers, and Biographies

Philosophical writings by James, including papers delivered at major marine archeology conferences, as well as external biographies.